Tuesday 06 February 2024
Early years settings in the Bailiwick have been taking part in a training programme to build children's early literacy skills.
12 preschool settings and four school reception years are taking part in the Language for Literacy Programme, which focuses on the five areas that underpin literacy and provide children with these vital skills before they start reading and writing.
The five areas with training modules are; oral language and vocabulary, books, phonological awareness, environmental print, and mark making.
The focus of the training is on empowering early years settings to run events with parents to share these key messages about early literacy. So far more than 250 families across the Bailiwick have benefited from these sessions with many more events planned.
Following the training, settings will have the opportunity to gain a "Language for Literacy Award." To receive this award the setting will need to demonstrate they are sharing key messages about early literacy with the families they work with and show they are supporting children to develop these skills in their everyday activities.
Ruth Sharp, Head of Early Years, said:
'Developing good oral language and vocabulary can help children succeed in school. Sharing books with babies and young children on a regular basis is crucial to developing a love of stories and an interest in reading for pleasure. Phonological awareness forms the foundations for reading and writing. These skills include syllable awareness, rhyme and listening for sounds in words. Developing an awareness of print in the environment helps children learn that symbols have meaning. Providing children with opportunities and encouragement to experiment with sensory and tactile materials helps them to become confident mark makers. Attributing meaning to the marks they make is one of the first steps towards early writing.
'The Language for Literacy programmes covers all of these key areas and help early years providers support the families they work with to give their children the best possible start before they begin school.'
On Saturday 27th April settings from across Guernsey will take part in a community beach event celebrating the Language for Literacy Programme. Families will be invited to take part in activities that support these early literacy skills. Families in Alderney will be provided with a similar event later in the summer term.
The Language for Literacy Programme complements the States Early Years Team's Language for Life Campaign that aims to raise awareness about how children learn to talk and what the adults around them can do to support this. A range of materials are now available at Language for Life - States of Guernsey (gov.gg)
